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  What it means

  Literally: “Don’t play around, little cat, with a bear.” A small and weak creature ; a kitten ; should not provoke or challenge something vastly stronger and more dangerous ; a bear. It warns against picking fights or making trouble with opponents who are far more powerful. Poles use it as a caution against recklessness, arrogance, or underestimating an adversary.

  English equivalent

  Don't poke the bear. / Pick on someone your own size.

  Vocabulary

  • nie igraj — don't play around, don't toy (negative imperative of igrać)
  • kotku — little cat (vocative diminutive of kot)
  • z niedźwiedziеm — with a bear (instrumental of niedźwiedź)

  Grammar note

  'Nie igraj' is a negative imperative formed with 'nie' + imperfective imperative (igrać → igraj). The diminutive 'kotku' is in the vocative case, used when addressing someone directly ; here affectionately or warningly. 'Z niedźwiedziеm' uses the instrumental case after 'z' (with).

  Cultural context

  The diminutive 'kotku' softens the warning with an affectionate tone ; it sounds almost like a parent or grandparent cautioning a child. The bear (niedźwiedź) is a potent symbol of strength in Slavic cultures and often represents Russia in Polish political metaphors, though the proverb is used in everyday non-political contexts too.

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